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2018 STATE OF THE CITY HIGHLIGHTS COLLABORATION, DEPARTMENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Post Date:02/12/2018 4:53 PM

San Luis Obispo City Manager Derek Johnson celebrated the City’s “Community Builders” in his 2018 State of the City report.

The State of the City report, presented to City staff in January, highlights City accomplishments, revenue trends and upcoming challenges and opportunities. This year’s report is accompanied by a video, developed to share the key information with the community.

“This year’s theme of Community Builders emphasizes the things that are possible when we work together and the importance of us all recognizing how we play a role in building community,” Johnson said. “In the spirit of the theme, I wanted to share the report highlights to show what’s possible when we work together and to encourage ongoing collaboration in 2018.”

“Sure, we will face challenges,” he added. “Yet, a strong partnership between the community and our dedicated City team allows us to manage these challenges and opportunities.”

Some of the projects that reflected that collaboration include:

PEACE & PACT, a series of two-hour discussions meant to improve communications and understanding between police officers and the public

The opening of the unique playground at Sinsheimer Park, with fun attractions that engage kids in new ways, developed in part based on kids’ feedback and advisory body input

Record-setting community participation in the 2017-19 Financial Plan community forum, where the public’s input helped guide the City Council to the following four goals and other objectives:

Housing—Facilitate increased production of all housing types designed to be economically accessible to the area workforce and low and very-low income residents. This is being accomplished through increased density and proximity to transportation corridors in alignment with the Climate Action Plan

Climate Action—Implement the Climate Action Plan, assess requirements to achieve a “net-zero carbon City” and implement cost-effective measures, including appointing a Sustainability Coordinator and the formation of a “Green Team”

Fiscal Sustainability and Responsibility—Continue to implement the City’s Responsibility philosophy with a focus on economic development and responsiveness, unfunded liabilities and infrastructure financing

The City has made significant progress on its Major City Goals including 30 percent of its housing goal complete and 50 percent of its multi-modal transportation goal. Twenty-five percent of its fiscal sustainability and responsibility, 25 percent on Climate Action, as well as 25 percent of its plans for Downtown Vitality are complete.

Johnson also cited the Motion Project and the 30 in 3 initiatives as major accomplishments. The Motion Project will upgrade internal technology, making business services more efficient for staff and the public. The 30 in 3 initiative aims to reduce costs by reducing workers’ compensation claims by 30 percent in 3 years.

There are challenges ahead, Johnson said, such as the planned closure and related decommissioning of Diablo Canyon, a softening of revenue, increased City expenses, emergency preparation and funding Capital Improvement Projects outlined in various community plans.

But there are opportunities as well, including the Fiscal Health Response Plan, which the City developed with consultation from the community to address rising pension costs. Other opportunities include new, more efficient ways of doing business, and better use of resources through sustainability initiatives, such as Community Choice Energy.

Accompanying this release is a seven-minute highlight reel of 2017 accomplishments by department, which can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/PjlZXdqEn0I